Erskynd is an ancient Scottish name that was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. It is a name for someone who lived on the Clyde river, near Glasgow. The town name comes from the Gaelic air an sgian, meaning "upon the knife," Legend has it that a Scotsman under the command of Malcolm II uttered the phrase after slaying a Danish leader at the Battle of Murthill.

Early Origins of the Erskynd family

The surname Erskynd was first found in at Erskine in Renfrewshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rinn Frił), a historic county of Scotland, today encompassing the Council Areas of Renfrew, East Renfrewshire, and Iverclyde, in the Strathclyde region of southwestern Scotland. In the year 1225, King Alexander II granted Henry de Erskine, who held the baroncy of Erskine, lands in Renfrewshire. Sir John Ireskin also swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward I of England in 1296. Members of the Erskine family appear in many other documents and records dating from throughout the 13th century and afterward. A few of the more interesting records show that Henry de Erskyn bore official witness to the Earl of Lennox's grant of a church to the Abbey of Paisley, and that in 1491, Robert Erschin held the office of Canon of Glasgow.

Early History of the Erskynd family

Early History of the Erskynd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Erskynd research.Another 469 words (34 lines of text) covering the years 1376, 1715, 1552, 1572, 1558, 1634, 1685, 1592, 1572, 1616, 1671, 1558, 1634, 1615, 1677, 1662, 1743, 1695, 1768, 1624, 1696 and are included under the topic Early Erskynd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Erskynd Spelling Variations

Erskynd Spelling Variations

Prior to the first dictionaries, scribes spelled words according to sound. This, and the fact that Scottish names were repeatedly translated from Gaelic to English and back, contributed to the enormous number of spelling variations in Scottish names. Erskynd has been spelled Erskine, Arskine, Arskin, Erskin, Irskine, Hirskine, Ersken and many more.

Early Notables of the Erskynd family (pre 1700)

Early Notables of the Erskynd family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family at this time was John Erskine, 5th Lord Erskine (died 1552), a Scottish nobleman; John Erskine, 17th Earl of Mar (died 1572), Regent of Scotland; John Erskine, 2nd Earl of Mar (ca.1558-1634), Scottish politician; William Erskine (died 1685), Master of Charterhouse Hospital; Alexander Erskine of Gogar, (died... Another 99 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Erskynd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Erskynd family to Ireland

Migration of the Erskynd family to Ireland

Some of the Erskynd family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 101 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Erskynd family to the New World and Oceana

Migration of the Erskynd family to the New World and Oceana

In such difficult times, the difficulties of raising the money to cross the Atlantic to North America did not seem so large compared to the problems of keeping a family together in Scotland. It was a journey well worth the cost, since it was rewarded with land and freedom the Scots could not find at home. The American War of Independence solidified that freedom, and many of those settlers went on to play important parts in the forging of a great nation. Among them: William Erskin arrived in New York State in 1803; Thomas Erskine settled in New England in 1773; John, Richard and William Erskine arrived in Philadelphia in 1876..

The Erskynd Motto

The Erskynd Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.